The Potential of Using Wild Giant Common Reed Plant (Phragmites australis) as a Source for Biodegradable Plastic

Abstract

Abstract. The importance of this research lies in reducing the damage caused by wild plants, such as the common reed, to other 5 plants and soil, as well as exploring their potential as environmentally friendly biomaterials. In this study, a simple method was employed to extract cellulose from the stems and leaves of the wild plant. The yield of cellulose was 41.4% from the stems and 26% from the leaves. Subsequently, bioplastic was produced from the extracted cellulose. FTIR analysis characterized the production of the bioplastic film, confirming the presence of specific functional groups. Additionally, the solubility of the films was tested, demonstrating their stability in most organic solvents. The degradation test indicated that these bioplastic films are soluble in soil. Finally, the degree of anisotropy of the bioplastic film was determined using DSC analysis, which yielded a value of 253 °C.